Off-Campus Living often comes with additional financial responsibility. Before you decide to move off-campus, make sure that you are prepared for the financial commitment and planning. Build a flexible budget and live within your means.
Developing an Off-Campus Budget
Budgeting for the first time as a college student can be confusing because you may 不 have a steady flow of income, and you may have several large expenses due at the beginning of the semester. An easy way to approach budgeting is to separate your fixed income/expenses (once per semester) and your recurring monthly expenses.
Subtract your fixed expenses from your fixed income and determine how much is left over. Divide the money left over by the number of months you need to budget for, then add that to your recurring montly income. This will help you gauge about how much money you have to pay your recurring expenses each month.
还记得!
Most leases are for twelve months. If you are 不 planning to be here for part of that time, negotiate a shorter lease with your landlord, find a不her student to sublease (if allowed), or budget to pay the rent while you aren't here. You are still responsible for rent and utilities!
固定收益
- 奖学金/助学金
- 储蓄
- 贷款
固定的费用
- 学费, Books, and 费用
- 膳食计划
- 停车许可证
- 会费
反复出现的
经常性收入
- 薪水
- 津贴
- 助学金
反复出现的费用
- 租金
- 公用事业公司
- 房东的保险
- 汽车付款 & 汽车保险
- 食品杂货 & 外出就餐及娱乐 & 娱乐
- 家庭购买
- Medical Expenses/健康 Insurance
常见问题
当你住在校园里的时候, all of your housing charges are put on your student account and any available financial aid you have is applied towards that balance. 如果你住在校外, you are responsible for making housing related payments directly to your landlord or utility provider, 他们会的 不 be charged to your student account.
If you are expecting a 金融援助 refund, you can use that refund to pay for the expenses of being a student, including off-campus housing expenses. 租金 and utility charges are usually due monthly, so you will need to budget accordingly to make the money last.
Each student's financial aid eligibility and package can differ, so we encourage you to check with the 金融援助 办公室 about your particular situation.
公用事业公司 typically include Internet, cable, phone, electricity, gas, water, sewage, and trash. Some landlords will absorb these costs in your rent, so it is important to ask what is included before you sign your lease.
Most utilities are billed monthly to one individual, so if you are living with friends you will have to decide whose name the different utilities will go in. Be aware that utilities may require an activation fee or a deposit, so plan accordingly. Ask about utility late fees and early termination fees as well so you fully understand your obligations. Pay all of your utilities by the deadlines so late payments do 不 affect your credit score.
There is a fundamental difference between living on-campus or at home versus living off-campus in an apartment. At home your family is probably 不 likely to evict you because you missed a payment; even when you live on campus there are extensions and staff members who can provide you assistance with your circumstances.
If you miss a bill while living off-campus, the consequences could be having your electricity turned off, hits on your credit score, 或者更糟, 驱逐!
有租金问题?
The City of Norfolk has partnered with ODU to provide assistance to students facing rental issues. 发送电子邮件至 offcampuslife@as-oil.com to be referred to a Landlord/Tenant Specialist, who may be able to assist you in resolving your issue.